Beyond the Boards: Eric Lindros on Hockey IQ, Grit and Leading Change Artwork

PrincipalED: Conversations with Grace McCallum

Interested in girls’ and women’s success? And in hearing from people who are invested in advancing girls’ education today and helping to shape its future? Then the PrincipalED podcast is for you! We’ll take you inside the halls of a girls’ school, where you’ll hear candid conversations with educators and students, friends of the school and experts in their fields. We’ll also highlight the incredible stories of people in our Branksome Hall community, sharing what's on their minds—and why it matters.

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PrincipalED: Conversations with Grace McCallum

Beyond the Boards: Eric Lindros on Hockey IQ, Grit and Leading Change

March 24, 2026 • Grace McCallum/Branksome Hall • Season 2 • Episode 6

0:00 | 57:56

What does it take to stay three moves ahead when the world is watching? In the state-of-the-art setting of Branksome Hall’s Athletics and Wellness Centre, Grace sits down with NHL Hall of Famer and Branksome parent Eric Lindros. While known for his physical dominance on the ice, Eric speaks to the value of the "soft skills" that are often the hardest to master: handling public criticism, navigating failure and leading a franchise as the youngest captain in Flyers history.

In this episode, Eric shares candid reflections on:

The Car Ride Home: His parents’ role in shaping his journey—from the extra hours on the backyard ice rink to the coaching and conversations in the car after the game, and why keeping it fun is the ultimate fuel for high performance.
Multi-Sport Mindsets: Why being the best player on a team isn't always the best way to learn, and how playing sports you aren’t good at can help to build a winning mindset.
The Identity Shift: Navigating life after the game and his transition from the "Big E" to a champion for systemic change through concussion awareness and Rowan’s Law.
Advice for the Next Generation: A compelling message to students and parents on balancing high-performance dreams with academics, and the importance of being honest about injury.

Whether you're a student-athlete, a parent or a leader, this is an essential masterclass in playing smart, building mental toughness and leading with purpose.

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The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: Eric Lindros, hockey, hockey hall of fame, National Hockey League, high performance, student-athletes, Branksome Hall athletics, soft skills, resilience, concussion awareness, Rowan’s Law

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership